Ancient Sculptures Removed from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient sculptures and cultural objects have been taken from Syria's National Museum in the capital, authorities report.
The theft was found on Monday, when museum workers reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been forced from the inside.
The half-dozen missing statues were made of marble and originated to the Roman period, an authority stated to the Associated Press.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had opened an investigation to establish the "circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a collection of items", and that measures had been enacted to strengthen protection and observation methods.
The head of domestic security in the capital area, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the state-run Sana news agency as saying that law enforcement were examining the theft, which he said had focused on several "ancient sculptures and unique items".
He continued that guards at the museum and other persons were being interrogated.
The Damascus Museum, which was created in the early twentieth century, houses the significant historical artifacts in Syria.
It includes clay cuneiform tablets tracing back to the ancient era from Ugarit, where indications of the earliest writing system was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD classical statues from the ancient city, one of the most important ancient sites of the historical period; and a third century religious building that was constructed at an ancient location.
The museum was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, a year after the start of the internal strife. The majority of the artifacts was transferred and preserved at secure places to safeguard them.
It reopened partially in recent years and resumed full operations in the beginning of the year, one month after rebel forces removed the Assad regime.
Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or significantly impacted during the conflict.
The IS organization blew up numerous temples and historical sites at Palmyra, claiming that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization condemned the destruction as a war crime.
Many cultural items were also damaged or looted from historical locations and collections.
